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Left Wing Orthodoxy's Divisive Choices
Image from theForwardTo the surprise of absolutely no one (least of all me) the Forwardreports that the Orthodox Union (OU) is about to expel synagogues that have hired female clergy. There are...
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Does Orthodoxy Equal Social Conservatism?
Rabbi Dov FischerMost people that read this blog know that my political leanings are center-right. Which means that on most issues my views tend to reflect the more socially conservative point of view....
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Will ‘A Jewish Father’ End Up with Jewish Grandchildren?
I literally do not know where to begin. I don’t know whether to feel sorry for this fellow or to just be angry at him.An anonymous individual that calls himself ‘A Jewish Father’ just wrote an article...
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Embarrassing the President is Wrong
Image from Arutz ShevaI am completely disgusted by their behavior. Which in this case has nothing to do with Judaism.Although they might claim it does. Their religious beliefs revolve primarily around...
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An Open Plea to My Cousin, Elana
R' Binny Mendel MarylesElana Maryles Sztokman is family. Her grandfather, Dave Maryles – a pioneer of Agudath Israel of America, was my father’s first cousin. I never actually met Elana. But I know...
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Outside of Orthodoxy
Scene in Jerusalem yesterday (Jerusalem Post)I’ve tried to ignore stories like this. Not because they don’t upset me. They do. But because they are so ‘normal’ for that community – I should be used it...
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Orthodoxy’s Successes and Failures
Image from Cross Currents for illustrative purposes onlyI have been saying for some time now that the handwriting is on the wall. Today’s heterodoxy is about to join the many other movements that have...
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Judgment and Mercy
Guest Contribution by Meira GreenlandThe well known and haunting prayer Nesaneh Tokef is recited on both days of Rosh Hashanna and the day of Yom Kippur during the Musaf service. It was written about...
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Joining the Club
Co-signer of the document - Chabad leader in Chicago, Rabbi Baruch Hertz‘We were living in the dark ages!’ That was Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst’s response to me when I told him how courageous he was as a...
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Shvartze!
Ben FauldlingWhat does it mean to be a Baal Teshuva? Baal Teshuva (BT) is the term commonly used to refer to a Jew that grew up in a non observant home and at some point became observant. (Often...
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I'm on my way to Israel. My wife and I will be spending Yom Kippur and Sukkos in Ramat Bet Shemesh (Aleph) with our son and his family. I'll be posting from there beginning tomorrow. I will be...
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If You Want to Play the Game, You Have to Follow the Rules
Rabbi David StavPeople can quibble about the rules in any organization. There were plenty of rules in the organizations I was involved with over the years that I felt were unjust, unnecessary, or just...
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An Interview with a Menachem Bombach
Guest Contribution by YY Bar-ChaiimRabbi Menachem BombachYY Bar-Chaiim is a Baal Teshuva who made Aliyah to Israel. He grew up with little knowledge of illustrious religious heritage. In his search for...
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Forgiveness
Preparing coals for the incense service in the Beis HaMikdash (Temple Institute)On this, the eve of Yom Kippur, our day of atonement, I wish to ask mechila from anyone I have slighted. The Talmud...
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Judaism is More Than About Tuna Fish
Lila Kagedan - first female rabbi of an Orthodox ShulWhen the Rabbinic leaders that guide the OU came out with their guidelines for women's roles in Judaism earlier this year, it was sharply...
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Practical Charedim
Charedim will look more like attorney and Agudah head, Chaim Dovid ZweibelRav Ahron Soloveichik said Hallel on Yom Ha’atzmaut. He also believed in the importance of studying secular subjects. Which...
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American Politics and Judaism
Nikki Haley - one of the reasons Orthodox Jews support TrumpFor Orthodox Jews, politics should not be the guide we use to choose our candidates. We should be guided by what the Torah teaches – and...
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Where's My Esrog?!
On of my talented 12 year old grandsons, Avraham Kirshner, has just sent out his annual Maryles Family Newspaper to the family. There are 16 pages of interesting articles, stories, games, crossword...
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Boy For Sale
Yeshiva students - How much will you pay them to marry your daughter?The title of this post is taken from a song in the 1969 movie Oliver. But never has a song title been more appropriate than it is...
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Dangers Inherent in the Modern Orthodox Left
Image taken for the New York Jewish WeekI am a modern Orthodox Jew. I say that with pride. I do not hide that fact from anyone. Although there are some modern Orthodox Jews that will dispute that as my...
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